• How did CHAMP come about? 
• What is the origin of the CHAMP name? 
• What are the criteria for enrolment in the CHAMP Program? 
• How is a child amputee enrolled in CHAMP? 
• Why was CHAMP developed? 
• What is the Winner’s Circle and what does it mean? 
• Where does the financial assistance come from? 
• What assistance is available to help pay for artificial limbs? 
• Will CHAMP assist with the cost of recreational limbs and devices? 
• Will CHAMP cover travel costs (e.g. for prosthetic fittings and CHAMP Seminars)? 
• Does CHAMP provide special assistance to help children missing more than one limb? 
• In what other ways does CHAMP provide support and information to families? 
• Does War Amps keep informed of advances in prosthetic technology? 

The War Amps CHAMP Program is the only program that specializes specifically in the needs of child amputees. With the needs of war veteran amputees being effectively managed, The War Amps turned its efforts to child amputees with its introduction of the CHAMP Program in 1975.

The name CHAMP stands for Child Amputee Program. The name also describes the young amputees in the Program – courageous and determined, as the word “Champ” is a shortened form of “Champion,” someone who has overcome obstacles to become a winner. The CHAMP name is at the heart of the Winner’s Circle philosophy.

• The child must be a resident of Canada or a Canadian citizen whose permanent home is in Canada.
• The child must be under the age of 18.
• The child must be missing a limb, a portion of a limb or more than one limb.
• The cause of amputation may be loss of limb through accident, medical causes such as cancer, or a limb missing from birth. All are considered amputations.

The War Amps does not require any financial details or family background information. We require basic information in order to provide the best possible assistance for each child. All information is held in strictest confidence.

We receive referrals from the medical professionals, rehabilitation centres, other parents of Champs, neighbours and other family members who are aware of the Program. Many enquiries are received after a family member has received a pamphlet from our Key Tag or Address Label campaign or perhaps seen or heard media coverage of the Program.

After the initial enquiry is received in the CHAMP office, an introductory letter and a package of information, including an Enrolment Form, is sent to the family. When the completed form is returned to the office, it is reviewed for compliance to criteria and the young amputee is enrolled in CHAMP. It’s that simple!

The War Amps Members (amputees themselves) understood the challenges these children and their families would face and the financial assistance and incentive they would require in order to overcome the limitations of their disability. The CHAMP Program is a comprehensive program that addresses not only the socio-economic needs but the psychological aspects of amputation as well. The War Amps CEO, Cliff Chadderton, who was responsible for the creation of CHAMP, knew that in the mind of a child amputee there would be a sense of loss and, in some children, that feeling of loss would be far greater than for others. In their day-to-day contacts with other children, they would face many challenges. CHAMP was put in place to help child amputees and their families overcome these challenges.

The philosophy behind the CHAMP Program is a very simple one – the WINNER’S CIRCLE – to help child amputees accept their loss, overcome it, and in doing so, become WINNERS.

On occasion, the Winner’s Circle has been misinterpreted to mean “winner” in some athletic endeavour. The aim of the CHAMP Program is to teach amputees to compete - not against other amputees or against other people - but against nature, the ski hill, the golf course, or against themselves.

Financial assistance is made possible thanks to our donors who give donations through our Key Tag and Address Label Service. The War Amps does not receive any government funding, nor do we solicit door-to-door or by telephone.

The CHAMP Program will assist with the costs of artificial limbs, and ongoing adjustments/repairs, where these costs are not covered through provincial medical plans or private insurance plans held by the family. Financial assistance for prosthetic fittings must be pre-authorized by the CHAMP Program.

Yes. It is important for Champs to be able to participate in recreational activities.

The CHAMP Program covers the full cost of specially designed recreational limbs and devices for child amputees. Recreational limbs for musical instruments, sports and other leisure activities, are considered to be a necessity for child amputees to encourage them to develop the WINNER’S CIRCLE Philosophy. Again, funding for limbs must be pre-authorized by CHAMP. NO ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE THROUGH ANY OF THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL PLANS FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL LIMBS.

CHAMP will provide financial assistance to cover travel and accommodation costs for the Champ accompanied by one parent, to attend appointments at prosthetic or rehabilitation centres. The CHAMP Program covers the cost for the Champ accompanied by one parent to attend CHAMP Seminars. For a child age 5 or under, costs are covered for both parents to attend CHAMP Seminars.

Some Champs have very unique needs that CHAMP addresses to encourage their development. For example, JUMPSTART provides computers and educational software to children with multiple amputations registered in CHAMP. In many cases partial assistance for mobility vehicles and computers is available through provincial assistance plans.

Peer support is very important to ensure that Champs adopt the Winner’s Circle philosophy. The Program provides support through:

• Annual CHAMP Seminars 
• Resources (video productions, the Starting School Kit, CHAMP Newsletters, etc.)
• Matching Mothers Program (and Dads too!) and Junior Counselling

Toll-free phone: 1 800 267-4023;
Toll-free fax: 1 866 235-0350;
E-mail: champ@waramps.ca 

The award-winning Winner’s Circle video productions and the Winner’s Circle Profile Series feature not only the very special programs that The War Amps is able to offer to amputees but tell the stories of these youngsters and the many challenges they overcome.

The CHAMP Newsletter, published in English and French, is an informal, friendly publication containing information on amputation, artificial limbs, various War Amps programs and special projects as well as the individual stories of our CHAMP members. The Newsletter is important to Champs and friends of the Association and plays an important part in keeping our CHAMP “family” in contact and informed.

One of the major objectives of The War Amps is to ensure that the best prosthetic and rehabilitation services are available to all Canadian amputees.

Cliff Chadderton is well known to prosthetists across Canada due to his involvement with The Canadian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CAPO) as well as several international organizations.

The War Amps initiated the National Amputee Centre in 1999 to recognize the work that The War Amps does in the areas of amputation and prosthetics. Staff from the National Amputee Centre attend conferences to keep informed on new developments. Particular attention is paid to the needs of child amputees. This information is made available to the CHAMP office and distributed through CHAMP Newsletters, at seminars and upon request.